Filtering deep fryer for household use

ABSTRACT

Fryer for frying food having a removable oil containing cartridge. The fryer includes a fry basket adapted to receive the food to be fried, a vessel adapted to receive the fry basket, a bowl adapted to receive the vessel and the removable oil containing cartridge, at least one of the fry basket and the vessel being adapted to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being characterized by movement of the oil from the removable oil containing cartridge and into the fry basket and the second position being characterized by movement of the oil from the fry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge, and at least one of a biasing mechanism being arranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge, the removable oil containing cartridge having a bellows shape, and the removable oil containing cartridge being removably connected to the vessel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/646,888, filed Oct. 6, 2000, which is a National StageApplication of International Application No. PCT/FR99/00978, filed Apr.26, 1999. The disclosures of the above listed applications are expresslyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Further, thepresent application claims priority of French Application No. 98/05229,filed Apr. 27, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a household fryer, ofthe type which includes a bowl which is adapted to receive an oilreserve up to a maximum filling level, a fry basket adapted to receivethe food to be fried, a filtering vessel adapted to receive the frybasket and to slide inside the bowl along a downward course and betweena high position for which the bottom of the vessel is higher than themaximum filling level of the bowl, and a low position for which at leastthe major portion of the basket, which is received in the vessel, islower than the filling level. The filtering vessel can also move alongan upward course. Additionally, the filtering vessel has a bottom wallin which at least a portion of the bottom wall forms a filter.

[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0005] A fryer of this type is disclosed, for example, in FR-A-2 479677. In the patent, a removable waste filter 34 is inserted between apan 32 and a basket 12, which basket can be displaced between its highposition and its low position in the pan, and inversely, without anyconcurrent displacement of the waste filter. If the waste filter can beremoved from the pan so as to eliminate of the waste retained therein,it is by implementing a specific manual step. In the absence of thisimplementation, the waste filter, along with the waste which itcontains, remains immersed in the frying oil from one frying operationto the next. Moreover, when this operation is implemented, the wastefilter is lifted directly from its immersed position in the oil towardthe outside of the pan, inevitably with oil drippings on the cookingsurface and risks of burning if the oil is hot. This unpractical systemcan urge the user not to extract the waste filter after each fryingoperation, in which case food debris build up in the waste filter,resulting in a further carbonization of these debris each time and anaccelerated degradation of the oil.

[0006] Also contributing to this degradation is the fact that the freesurface of the oil is almost entirely exposed to the ambient air.

[0007] Furthermore, a fryer has been proposed in FR-A-2 086 562, inwhich elastic means formed by a spring (9) takes support on the bottomof a first container, or pan (4), and on the bottom of a blindcylindrical boss (10) provided in the bottom of a second container, orfry basket (6), which spring biases the basket away from the bottom ofthe pan. The fryer also includes a means for temporary locking of thefry basket in low position.

[0008] This fryer is designed to maintain the basket in low position aslong as the cooking of the food has not reached a certain stage. To thisend, it is by means of an originally raw piece 18 of the food involved,fixed on skewers 19 attached to the cover, that the spring 9 iscompressed when the cover is closed, which enables the basket to moveand be maintained in a low position. When the piece of food insertedbreaks or becomes too soft under the cooking effect, to keep the springcompressed, the latter expands and the basket rises. At this point, thefood is supposed to be properly cooked.

[0009] This fryer comprises a bottom, or plate 22, on which the frybasket rests. If it is understood that this plate is lowered when thebasket is lowered against the force of the spring, the patent is silentwith respect to the means that enable the plate to rise with the basket:indeed, it is clearly indicated in the description of this patent thatthe spring does not push on the plate but on the basket (the platenecessarily having, to this end, a central cutout for the passage of thespring). Therefore, when the basket rises, there is no reason for theplate to follow along. In addition, the cylinder 11, that is affixed tothe cover and into which penetrates the boss 10 of the bottom of thebasket in high position thereof, prevents the opening of the fryer bypivoting of the lid about the hinge 14 when the fry basket is in thishigh position. This opening is possible only when the boss 11 is notengaged with the cylinder 10, i.e., in the low position of the basket,in other words, with the food immersed in the oil. The draining of thecooked food, subsequent to the automatic lifting of the basket, is doneto no purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the priorart by proposing a fryer that is simple and safe. The fryer provides forfiltering of oil and includes an elastic mechanism which supports thebottom of the filtering vessel instead of the fry basket.

[0011] Thus, the invention provides for filtering the oil each time thefiltering vessel/fry basket assembly rises. Moreover, this isaccomplished without any member being an obstacle to the opening of thefryer when the fry basket is in a high position, i.e., in a positionwhich allows it to drain.

[0012] In operation, the elastic mechanism biases the filtering vesselupward and/or away from the bottom of the bowl. In at least oneembodiment, this biasing mechanism can be constituted by a spring.

[0013] The invention therefore provides for a fryer for frying foodcomprising a fry basket adapted to receive the food to be fried, avessel adapted to receive the fry basket, a bowl adapted to receive thevessel and a quantity of oil, at least one of the fry basket and thevessel being adapted to move between a first position above the oil anda second position which is at least partially within the oil, a filteradapted to be disposed inside the bowl, a biasing mechanism adapted tobe disposed within the bowl, and a retaining mechanism for retaining oneof the fry basket and the vessel in the second position.

[0014] The vessel may comprise a filtering vessel. The filter may bedisposed between a bottom of the fry basket and a bottom of thefiltering vessel. The filter may be disposed between the fry basket anda bottom inside surface of the bowl. The retaining mechanism may beadapted to temporarily lock the vessel in the second position. Thebiasing mechanism may engage a bottom of the vessel and a bottom of thebowl. The fryer may be adapted for household use and the bowl may beadapted to receive an oil reserve up to a maximum filling level. Each ofthe fry basket and the filtering vessel may be adapted to slide withinthe bowl. The biasing mechanism may bias one of, the filter, the frybasket, and the filtering vessel away from a bottom of the bowl. Thefirst position may comprise a bottom of the vessel being disposed abovea maximum filling level of the bowl and the second position may comprisethe bottom of the vessel being disposed below the maximum filing levelof the bowl. A bottom wall of the vessel may comprise the filter. Thebiasing mechanism may bias each of the filter, the vessel, and the frybasket away from a bottom of the bowl such that the filter, the vessel,and the fry basket are supported above the oil in the first position.

[0015] The biasing mechanism may comprise a spring. The vessel maycomprise a bottom having at least one oil draining opening. The filtermay comprise a fine-mesh netting arranged adjacent the oil drainingopening. The filter may comprise a fine-mesh netting arranged adjacentat least one oil draining opening disposed in a bottom of the vessel.The at least one opening may be centrally disposed in the bottom of thevessel and wherein the fine-mesh netting comprises an area which isgreater than an area of the at least one oil draining opening. A solidarea of the bottom of the vessel may be at least 5-7 times greater thanan area of the at least one oil draining opening. A fine-mesh area ofthe filter may be at least 5-7 times greater than an area of the atleast one oil draining opening. The fryer may further comprise a cover.The cover may comprise the retaining mechanism. The cover may be adaptedto be disposed within the bowl. The cover may be adapted to rest againstthe vessel and to slide within the bowl. The retaining mechanism may beadapted to lock the vessel in the second position after the cover isslid to a predetermined depth in the bowl.

[0016] The fryer may further comprise a removable oil cartridge. Theremovable cartridge may comprise a liner which is adapted to hold thequantity of oil. The removable cartridge may be adapted to receive thebiasing mechanism and the quantity of oil. The fryer may furthercomprise a sealing mechanism adapted to be disposed between the vesseland the bowl. The sealing mechanism may comprise an o-ring. One of thevessel and the bowl may comprise a shoulder which is adapted to engagethe sealing mechanism. The vessel may comprise a filtering vessel. Thevessel may be adapted to be connected to an oil cartridge. The vesselmay be connected to the oil cartridge via a threaded connection. The oilcartridge may comprise the biasing mechanism, a liner, and the quantityof oil.

[0017] The fryer may further comprise a pivoting lever connected to eachof the fry basket and the bowl. The fryer may further comprise a cover.

[0018] The invention also provides for a fryer for frying foodcomprising a fry basket adapted to receive the food to be fried, afiltering vessel having at least one oil draining opening, the filteringbasket being adapted to receive the fry basket, a bowl adapted toreceive each of the fry basket, the filtering vessel and a quantity ofoil, each of the fry basket and the vessel being adapted to move betweena first position above the oil and a second position which is at leastpartially within the oil, a filter disposed inside the bowl, a biasingmechanism disposed within the bowl, a retaining mechanism for retainingone of the fry basket and the filtering vessel in the second position, asealing mechanism disposed between the filtering vessel and the bowl,and a cover.

[0019] The invention further provides for a fryer for frying foodcomprising a fry basket adapted to receive the food to be fried, afiltering vessel having at least one oil draining opening, the filteringbasket being adapted to receive the fry basket, a bowl adapted toreceive each of the fry basket, the filtering vessel and a quantity ofoil, each of the fry basket and the vessel being adapted to move betweena first position above the oil and a second position which is at leastpartially within the oil, a biasing mechanism disposed within the bowl,a filter disposed between the fry basket and the biasing mechanism, aretaining mechanism for retaining one of the fry basket and thefiltering vessel in the second position, a sealing mechanism disposedbetween the filtering vessel and the bowl, and a cover.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the filtering vesselcomprises a solid annular zone whose inner periphery edges a cutoutprovided, or in coincidence with a fine-mesh netting, the area of thesolid annular zone being greater than that of the cutout, preferably 5-7times greater.

[0021] To load the basket, the filtering vessel is in high position,under the effect of the thrust of the elastic mechanism that bias thefiltering vessel upwardly. Once the basket has been loaded and the oilheated at the desired temperature, the user lowers the “filteringvessel/loaded basket” assembly by overcoming the force of the elasticmechanism until the time when the mechanism for temporarily locking thefiltering vessel in low position are activated. Once cooking iscompleted, the locking mechanism is deactivated and, under the effect ofthe thrust of the elastic mechanism, the filtering vessel and the frybasket return to high position. After the fried food is drained, thebasket can be extracted from the filtering vessel to unload the food.

[0022] During the rise of the filtering vessel, the oil present in thevessel is drawn into the space of increasing volume located beneath thevessel, which space constitutes the area for storing the oil reservebetween two frying operations. The oil in which the basket was immersedreaches this storage area by passing through the portion forming thefilter of the filtering vessel. It is therefore understood that the fooddebris that escaped from the basket do not pass into the oil storagearea, but are retained in the area forming the filter of the filteringvessel, and that the filtering vessel, which has been drained, caneasily be extracted from its high position so as to remove the wastetherefrom.

[0023] Furthermore, between two frying operations, the solid zone of thebottom of the filtering vessel covers a major part of the surface of theoil reserve, the air space inserted between them being very thin if oneis careful to complete the reserve periodically to maintain itsubstantially at a maximum level. This cover reduces the oil reserveoxidation.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutout of thefiltering vessel is provided with a connecting mechanism adapted toengage with a matching connecting mechanism provided on an oil cartridgeconstituted of an enclosure that is capable of going from an expandedconfiguration to an accordion compressed configuration, and the elasticmechanism that bias the fry basket away from the bottom of the bowl isconstituted by a spring included in the enclosure.

[0025] Advantageously, the matching connecting mechanism has threadings,or equivalent mechanisms (quarter turn), the cartridge being capable ofbeing provided with a nozzle closed by a screwed cap.

[0026] Thus, to fill the fryer with oil, the user only needs to removethe screwed cap that blocks the nozzle of the cartridge, and to screwthe nozzle on the edge of the cutout of the bottom of the filteringvessel. When the user wishes to replace the oil, he performs the sameoperations in reverse, with an obvious advantage as for the maintenanceof the bowl and regard for the environment. The used oil is no longerdisposed of in the sink; the used oil cartridge, which is closed by thecap of the newly installed cartridge, can be placed in an appropriatewaste area.

[0027] In a first embodiment of the invention, the fryer comprises acover with a horizontal section having the same geometry as, and aslightly smaller size than that of the bowl, and which is adapted torest on the filtering vessel and to slide in the bowl, the temporarylocking mechanism of the filtering vessel in low position acting bytemporarily locking said cover at a predetermined sliding depth in thebowl.

[0028] It is understood that this cover thus has the double function oflimiting/preventing the release of frying vapors in the atmosphere andof ensuring the locking of the filtering vessel, therefore of the frybasket, in low position.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the cover of the fryer comprises anouter wall having at least one vent, on the one hand, and a detachableinner wall, mostly bored and adapted to serve as a seat for a piece offiltering material housed within the cover, on the other hand. Thispiece of material, which can be made of absorbent cloth or absorbentpaper, retains the oil micro-droplets driven by the water vapor that isreleased from the food during the frying, which micro-droplets areresponsible for the frying smells.

[0030] Advantageously, to facilitate the drainage of the fry basket,fried food and filtering vessel, the fryer according to the inventioncomprises a draining mechanism, such as ultrasonic device which acts onthe wall of the bowl, or a centrifugal device, and which are activatedwhen the filtering vessel passes or has passed from low position to highposition, after a frying operation.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the fryer according tothe invention, the ratio between the volume defined by the bowl up tothe maximum oil filling level and the useful volume of the basket is atleast equal to 5. By useful volume is meant the normal loading volume ofthe basket with food, for example, frozen fries.

[0032] Indeed, such a ratio is indispensable for a quasi-instantaneousgrip of the food, which prevents an excessive penetration of oil intothe food. In the commercially available household fryers, this ratio is,in the best case, equal to 1. As a result, when the basket, fully loadedwith frozen fries, for example, is immersed in the oil that has beenheated at the frying temperature, this temperature drops suddenly, whichhas the annoying consequence of causing the fries to absorb a greaterquantity of oil than normal. The ratio recommended by the inventioneliminates this disadvantage.

[0033] The invention still further provides for a fryer for frying foodhaving a removable oil containing cartridge wherein the fryer includes afry basket adapted to receive the food to be fried, a vessel adapted toreceive the fry basket, a bowl adapted to receive the vessel and theremovable oil containing cartridge, at least one of the fry basket andthe vessel being adapted to move between a first position and a secondposition, the first position being characterized by movement of the oilfrom the removable oil containing cartridge and into the fry basket andthe second position being characterized by movement of the oil from thefry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge, and at least oneof a biasing mechanism arranged inside the removable oil containingcartridge, the removable oil containing cartridge having a bellowsshape, and the removable oil containing cartridge being removablyconnected the vessel.

[0034] The removable oil containing cartridge may comprise a biasingmechanism arranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge. Theremovable oil containing cartridge may comprise a bellows shape. Theremovable oil containing cartridge may be removably connected to thevessel. The removable oil containing cartridge may comprise a biasingmechanism arranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge,wherein the removable oil containing cartridge comprises a bellowsshape, and wherein the removable oil containing cartridge is removablyconnected to the vessel. The fryer may further comprise at least onefilter adapted to be disposed inside the bowl. The fryer may furthercomprise a retaining mechanism retaining one of the fry basket and thevessel in the second position.

[0035] The fryer may further comprise a sealing mechanism at least oneof disposed in an area between a side of the bowl and a side of the frybasket, arranged between the bowl and the vessel, mounted to an insidesurface of the bowl, engaging each of the bowl and the vessel, providingsealing between the bowl and the vessel, and preventing oil in the bowlfrom moving upwards and past the sealing mechanism into a space betweenthe vessel and the bowl.

[0036] The vessel may comprise a filtering vessel. A filter may bedisposed between a bottom of the fry basket and a bottom of thefiltering vessel. The removable oil containing cartridge may comprise anopening adapted to be removably connected to a threaded nozzle of thevessel.

[0037] The invention also provides for a removable oil containing fryercartridge for a fryer having a vessel, a fry basket and a bowl, thefryer cartridge comprising an enclosure adapted to contain oil, abiasing mechanism arranged within the enclosure, and the enclosurecomprising an opening adapted to be removably connected to the vessel.

[0038] The biasing mechanism may comprise a spring. The removable oilcontaining cartridge may comprise a bellows shape. The removable oilcontaining cartridge may be removably connected to the vessel via athreaded nozzle and a threaded connection piece. The biasing mechanismmay comprise a spring, the enclosure may comprise a bellows shape, andthe enclosure may be removably connected to the vessel via a threadedconnection.

[0039] The invention still further comprises a combination of a fryerand a removable oil containing fryer cartridge for the fryer wherein thefryer comprises a vessel, a fry basket and a bowl, and the fryercartridge comprises an enclosure adapted to contain oil, a biasingmechanism arranged within the enclosure, and the enclosure comprising anopening adapted to be removably connected to the vessel.

[0040] The fryer may further comprise at least one filter adapted to bedisposed inside the bowl. The fryer may further comprise a retainingmechanism retaining one of the fry basket and the vessel in a downwardlyposition. The fryer may further comprise a sealing mechanism at leastone of disposed in an area between a side of the bowl and a side of thefry basket, arranged between the bowl and the vessel, mounted to aninside surface of the bowl, engaging each of the bowl and the vessel,providing sealing between the bowl and the vessel, and preventing oil inthe bowl from moving upwards and past the sealing mechanism into a spacebetween the vessel and the bowl. The vessel may comprise a filteringvessel. A filter may be disposed between a bottom of the fry basket anda bottom of the filtering vessel. At least one of the fry basket and thevessel may be adapted to move between a first position and a secondposition and wherein the first position is characterized by movement ofthe oil from the removable oil containing cartridge and into the frybasket and the second position is characterized by movement of the oilfrom the fry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Other advantageous characteristics and details of the inventionwill become apparent from the description that follows, with referenceto the annexed drawings, in which:

[0042]FIG. 1 shows a vertical schematic cross-section of a firstembodiment of the fryer according to the invention in the restingposition (i.e. with the frying bowl in high position);

[0043]FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 1, but with the fryer inthe frying position (i.e., with the frying bowl in low position);

[0044]FIG. 3 shows on a larger scale the zone demarcated by a circle inFIG. 2;

[0045]FIG. 4 shows a vertical schematic cross-section of a secondembodiment of the invention, with the fry basket in high position;

[0046]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with the fry basket in lowposition;

[0047]FIG. 6 is a detail on a larger scale of the zone demarcated by acircle in FIG. 4;

[0048]FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a variation of FIG. 5 showing the useof an oil cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one sees that the fryer according tothe invention comprises a bowl 1 containing a filtering vessel 3, whichitself contains a fry basket 4. In the following description, one willconsider that the bowl 1, the vessel 3 and the basket 4 have ahorizontal circular section, but this section can have another shape,for example, rectangular. The bowl 1 is included in a covering notshown.

[0050] The bottom 9 of the filtering vessel 3 rests on a spring 8 whichtakes support on the bottom of the bowl 1 and on bottom 9, and whichbiases the filtering vessel 3 upwardly.

[0051] The bottom 9 of the filtering vessel 3 includes an annular zone 5demarcating a central cutout 6, and it supports a removable filteringdisk, which is itself constituted of a fine-mesh metallic netting 10surrounded with a solid edge 7. Alternatively, the netting could be madeof a frying temperature resistant plastic material. By fine meshes ismeant meshes whose opening is micrometric.

[0052] The upper end of the lateral wall of the vessel 3 has a flange 11(FIG. 3) offering a shoulder 11′ on which lugs 12, attached to thebasket 4, rest.

[0053] A cover 13 constituted of an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 15also rests on this flange 11. The inner wall 15, which can be easilydetached by the user, is constituted of an annular plate in which amicrometric metallic netting 15′ is crimped. The inner wall 15 of thecover 13 serves as a seat for a disk 16 made of absorbent material, suchas a household absorbent paper, for example.

[0054] The outer wall 14 of the cover has vents 17, and it serves as asupport for a timer mechanism 18 housed for the most part within thecover 13. This mechanism 18 comprises an index 19 that can be accessedfrom the outside of the cover 13 and is rotatably mounted against theforce of a spiral spring included in a box, schematically represented bythe reference numeral 20, containing conventional clock parts. From thisbox 20 emerges an axle 21 driven rotationally by the timer mechanism 18,and on which is blocked a piece 22 in the periphery of which a camsurface 23 is cut out. This cam surface roughly assumes the shape of aFIG. 8 laid horizontally, i.e., it comprises two substantially circularconvex portions joined by two small concave zones forming a necking.

[0055] The axle 21 and the piece 22 are included in a housing 24 in thelower wall of which the axle 21 rotates. The lateral wall of the housing24 has two diametrically opposed openings for the passage of two rods 25which each comprise a proximal end 26 supported against the cam surface23 and a distal end 27. FIG. 1 shows the rods 25 in support on theconcave zones of the cam surface 23, whereas FIG. 2 shows them insupport on the convex portions of the surface 23. The distal end 27 ofeach of the rods 25 is received in a guiding sleeve 37 that communicateswith an opening 36 made in the lateral wall of the cover 13.

[0056] On each rod 25, in the vicinity of its proximal end 26, anabutment 28 is provided, on which is supported one of the ends of areturn spring 29, the other end of which takes support on the inner wallof the housing 24, the springs 29 maintaining the proximal end 26 of therods 25 in contact with the cam surface 23.

[0057] The inner wall of the bowl 1 comprises a first peripheral groove30 adapted to receive the distal end of the rods 25, and a secondperipheral groove in which an o-ring 31 is housed, slightly below thegroove 30. More specifically, the distance dl (FIG. 3) between the planeof the groove 30 and that of the o-ring 31 is equal to the distance d2(FIG. 1) between the plane of the rods 25 and that of the projectionformed by the flange 11 (FIG. 3).

[0058] The free edge 1′ of the bowl 1 has two roughly square-shaped,diametrically opposed returns 32 which affect only a small portion ofthe periphery of the bowl 1 and which project above said free edge 1′.The height h (FIG. 2) between the free edge 1′ of the bowl and the innersurface of the returns 32, in a horizontal plane, is sufficient toenable the translational positioning of the cover 13 on the flange 11 ofthe filtering vessel 3.

[0059] The bowl 1 rests on a base 33 containing a knownthermostat-controlled electric heating mechanism, which can be activatedby a switch 34. An indicator light 35 signals that oil has reached thedesired temperature.

[0060] The fry basket 4 and the filtering basket 3 includes a grippingmechanism, not shown, in order not to clutter the Figures.

[0061] The functioning of the fryer according to the invention and itsoperating mode will now be described.

[0062] Since the bowl 1 only contains the spring 8, the user fills thebowl 1 with oil up to the maximum level as referenced by Max. The userthen introduces the filtering vessel 3 into the bowl 1, then the basket4 loaded, for example, with frozen fries, in the vessel 3, and finallythe cover 13 beneath the returns 32 by placing it on the flange 11 ofthe filtering vessel 3. The loaded fryer then has the configurationshown in FIG. 1. In particular, the springs 8 and 29 are expanded, therods 25 are in the retracted position, and the fry basket 4 is not incontact with the oil reserve.

[0063] With the flyer plugged into an electric source, the user turns onthe switch 34 and waits for the indicator light 35 to be lit. A force isthen exerted on the cover 13, against the spring 8, which results inprogressively immersing the filtering vessel 3, and therefore the frybasket 4, into the hot oil. This force continues until the flanges 11abut on the o-ring 31, which signals to the user that the distal ends 27of the rods 25 are disposed adjacent the groove 30. The user thenrotates the index 19 until reaching a reference mark corresponding tothe start of cooking, which consequently sets the timer, on the onehand, and causes the piece 22 to rotate such that the cam surfaceportions offered to the proximal ends 26 of the rods 25 are thesubstantially circular convex portions. As a result, the rods 25 areprojected or caused to move outwardly against the force of the returnsprings 29, and their distal ends 27 engage with the groove 30 bylocking the cover 13 at this level of penetration into the bowl 1. Thefryer then has the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0064] During the frying operation, the food releases water vaporcharged with oil micro-droplets, which can escape only through the cover13, this is because the o-ring 31 ensures that the peripheral sealing ofthe cover is maintained. More specifically, the frying vapors flowthrough the netting 15′ of the cover 13, then the layer of absorbentmaterials 16 before escaping through the vents 17. The oilmicro-droplets are retained upon passing by the absorbent material 16,such that, substantially, only the odorless water vapor is released intothe atmosphere.

[0065] The count-down carried out by the timer continues and, as long asthe rotating piece 22 offers a support to the proximal portions 26 ofthe rods 25 on the circular convex zones of the cam surface 23, the rods25 are maintained in the projected position, i.e., engaging groove 30.The time has elapsed when the piece 22 offers a support to the proximalends 26 of the rods 25 on the neckings of the cam surface 23. Then,under the effect of the return springs 29, the support is maintained,resulting in the backward movement of the rods 25 that disengage fromthe groove 30.

[0066] The filtering vessel 3, the fry basket 3, and the cover 13 whichit supports are pushed back upward under the effect of the spring 8. Thevolume demarcated by the bottom 9 of the filtering vessel 3 and thelower portion of the bowl 1 increases, resulting in a suction effectexerted, through the cutout 6, on the oil that is located above thebottom 9. This oil can reach the lower portion of the bowl 1 (i.e., theportion of the bowl located beneath the vessel 3, in high position ofthe latter) only by passing through the netting 10 such that it clearsit of any debris which it contains. Therefore, the oil that reachesbeyond the cutout 6 is filtered out.

[0067] The filtering of the oil through the netting 10 slows the rise ofthe various elements 3, 4, 13, such that they do not risk “jumping” outof the bowl 1. In any event, the provision of the returns 32 preventssuch incident from occurring.

[0068] When the frying operation is completed, the fryer has returned tothe configuration of FIG. 1. A vibrating mechanism can be provided inthe covering, not shown, of the bowl 1, which can then be activated toperfect the draining of the fried food. This treatment also makes itpossible to accelerate the return, toward the lower portion of the bowl1, of the residual oil that is present on the walls of the upper portionof the bowl 1, on the filtering vessel 3, and on the fry basket 4.

[0069] If one respects a ratio, with a minimum equal to 5, between thevolume of oil and the useful volume of the basket, for example, if aminimum volume of 1,250 ml of oil is used for a part of 250 g of frozenfries, the cooking time will be 1 to 2 minutes. Furthermore, thecapacity of the basket 4 is preferably limited such that it is notpossible to place more than 250 g of fries therein.

[0070] To unload the basket 4, the user slides the cover 13translationally to release it from the returns 32, then he extracts thefry basket 4 from the bowl 1.

[0071] Next, he then extracts the filtering vessel 3 which, at thispoint, is completely drained, and thereafter he removes the debrisretained on the netting 10 by turning the vessel 3 over and shaking thedisk 10. The fry basket 4, the filtering vessel 3 and the disk 10 can bewashed in the dishwasher. The same is true for the inner wall 15 of thecover 13 that can be detached for cleaning, and for replacing theabsorbent material 16.

[0072] Between two periods of usage, the free surface of the oil reserveis not very exposed to the air due to the presence of the annular zone 5of the bottom 9 of the filtering vessel 3, which contributes to a goodpreservation thereof.

[0073] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the elements thatare identical or very similar to those described with reference to FIGS.1-3 are designated by the same reference numerals followed by a primesign.

[0074] Instead of a cover sliding in the bowl 1, the second embodimentcomprises a cover 100 pivotally mounted to the side covering 102 of thebowl 1′ by a hinge 101. This cover 100, observed hereinabove, has theshape of a frame adapted to receive a disposable filter 16′ that can betemporarily affixed to the cover 100.

[0075] Rather than being lowered under the effect of a vertical forceexerted on the sliding cover as in the previous embodiment, the frybasket 4′ and the filtering vessel 3′ are lowered under the effect ofthe movement of a lever 103 pivotally mounted at 104 on a portion 105attached to the side covering 102 of the bowl 1′. More specifically,this lever 103 has the shape of a fork formed, on the side of the pivot104, of two arms 106, only one of which is visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, andof a tail 107 on the other side of the pivot 104. The end of the arms106 that is distanced from the pivot 104 is articulated at 108 on aconnecting rod 109, which is itself articulated at 110 on the fry basket4′. Therefore, the arms 106 are affixed to the basket 4′ in two oppositezones on both sides of the basket 4′. The tail 107, which can beconstituted of extensions attached to the arms 106, has its enddistanced from the pivot 104 across from a finger 111 that is movable ina vertical plane and in support on an eccentric wheel 112 forming a cam,mounted on an axis 113 on which is wedged a pinion 114 drivenrotationally by a pinion 115, itself wedged on an axis 116. The axis 116is driven rotationally by a mechanism forming the timer included in thebutton 117.

[0076] The axis 104 rests on a support (not shown) from which it can beeasily separated, thus enabling the basket 4′ to be extracted from thebowl 1′.

[0077] As better seen in FIG. 6, the bowl 1′, which can be made of abuckled plate, has a larger section in the zone surrounding the frybasket 4′ in high position than in the zone located beneath this basket.The variation in the section creates a peripheral shoulder 118 thatreceives the o-ring 31′. A removable liner 119 rests on this o-ring 31′.A mechanism, not shown, is provided for easily extracting the liner 119from the bowl 1′.

[0078] The functioning of the fryer, in its second embodiment, is asfollows:

[0079] The cover 100 can be opened, i.e., tilted toward the left (notshown) around the hinge 101. Then, with the spring 8′ disposed insidethe bowl 1′, the user fills the bowl 1′ with oil up to the maximumlevel. The user then introduces the filtering vessel 3′ into the bowl1′, then the basket 4′, then the axis 104 is replaced on its support.Next, the user loads the basket 4′, for example, with frozen fries, thenhe folds the cover 100 back toward the right around the hinge 101. Theassembly is then presented as shown in FIG. 4 (neither the fries nor theoil are shown in order not to clutter the drawing).

[0080] In particular, the spring 8′ is expanded, and the fry basket 4′is not in contact with the oil reserve.

[0081] With the fryer plugged into an electric source, the user turns onthe switch 34′ and waits for the indicator light 35′ to come on. He thenrotates the button 117 over an angle referenced by a mark correspondingto standard cooking, or over a slightly smaller or larger angledepending upon whether he prefers faster or slower cooking. Thisrotation of the button 117 causes the rotation of the axis 116, pinions115 and 114, axis 113, and cam 112 that comes to lift the finger 111,which in turn lifts the tail 107 of the lever 103. The latter pivotsabout the axis 104 and causes a pushing of the basket 4′, andsubsequently the filtering vessel 3′, downwardly against the force ofthe spring 8′ that becomes compressed, which leads to progressivelyimmersing the basket 4′ in hot oil. The fryer then has the configurationshown in FIG. 5.

[0082] The timer mechanism included in the button 117 counts down theselected cooking time, the gear ratio between the pinions 115 and 114and the geometry of the cam 112 being such that the finger 111 remainslifted (and therefore, the basket 4′ remains in low position) as long asthis time has not elapsed. Once the time has elapsed, the cam 112enables the finger 111 to be lowered, releasing the tail 107 of thelever 103. Under the effect of the spring 8′, the filtering vessel 3′and the basket 4′ which it supports are pushed back upwardly. As in thecase of the first embodiment, the oil that is located above the bottom9′ of the vessel 3′ is drawn downwardly, and it can reach the lowerportion of the bowl 1′ only by passing through the netting 10′ whichclears it of any possible debris which it contains.

[0083] The water vapor charged with oil micro-droplets that is releasedduring the frying operation can escape only by flowing through thefilter 16′ of the cover 100, the o-ring 31′ ensuring the peripheralsealing between the vessel 3′ and the bowl 1′.

[0084] When the frying operation is completed, the fryer has returned tothe configuration of FIG. 4.

[0085] To unload the fryer, the user tilts the cover 100 about the hinge101, then he extracts the drained fry basket 4′ from the bowl 1′ afterseparating the axis 104 from its support.

[0086] He can then extract from the bowl the liner 119 which thusprotects the top portion of bowl 1′ from one frying operation to thenext, on the one hand, and the filtering vessel 3′, on the other hand.He removes the debris retained on the netting 10′ as before. The frybasket 4′, the liner 119, the filtering vessel 3 and the netting disk10′ can be washed in the dishwasher. The absorbent material 16′ liningthe cover 100 can be replaced.

[0087] As to FIG. 7, it distinguishes over FIG. 5 only in that it showsthe use of an oil spring cartridge. More specifically, the edge of thecentral cutout of the bottom 9′ of the vessel 3′ has been provided witha threaded connection piece 120 matched to the threaded nozzle 121 of anenclosure 122 containing a spring 8″, and the wall 123 of which isadapted to fold in accordion.

[0088] Before use, the threaded nozzle 121 is closed by a screwed cap.Since the basket 4′ and the vessel 3′ have been extracted from the bowl1′, the user opens the oil cartridge and screws its nozzle 121 on theconnection piece 120 of the vessel 3′. He then replaces, in the bowl 1′,the vessel 3′ thus equipped and the basket 4′ loaded with food to becooked, as before.

[0089] This embodiment functions exactly as the previous one, with theexception that instead of being contained directly in the bowl 1′, theoil is contained in the enclosure 122, which is itself housed in thebowl 1′.

[0090] When the basket 4′ and the filtering vessel 3′ are lowered, theycompress the spring 8″ contained in the enclosure 122 of the cartridgewhose wall 123 folds in accordion. The oil is expelled from thecartridge via its nozzle 121 and the connecting piece 120 of thefiltering vessel 3′. The o-ring 31′ prevents the boiling oil frompassing from the top of the vessel 3′ between the bowl 1′ and the outerwall 123 of the cartridge.

[0091] When the lever 103 is released and can pivot about the axis 104,the spring 8″ expands, the wall 123 of the cartridge unfolds and the oilthat was outside of the cartridge is re-drawn by the connecting piece120 of the vessel 3′ and the nozzle 121 of the cartridge.

[0092] When the user wishes to replace the oil after a certain number offrying operations, he extracts the basket 4′ and the vessel 3′ from thebowl 1′, unscrews the nozzle 121 from the connecting piece 120, blocksthis nozzle with the cap that he had kept or with the cap of a newlyinstalled cartridge, and disposes of the used oil cartridge.

[0093] Of course, it is understood that the invention is not limited tothe embodiments described and shown.

[0094] In particular, the temporary locking mechanism could have anotherconfiguration than those described, and could be controlled bymechanisms other than a timer/cam surface assembly. Rather than usingconcurrently a filtering vessel 3 whose cutout 6 is completely open anda removable filtering disk such as 10 resting on the bottom of thevessel, one could use a vessel 3 whose cutout 6 would be directlyprovided with a fine-mesh netting. Instead of a spring 8, a metallicbellows could be used. It is possible that the fryer not be equippedwith electric heating mechanism, in which case the base 33 would bereplaced by a heating sole adapted to be placed on a heat source. Thesealternative embodiments are in no way limiting.

What is claimed:
 1. A fryer for frying food having a removable oil containing cartridge comprising: a fry basket adapted to receive the food to be fried; a vessel adapted to receive the fry basket; a bowl adapted to receive the vessel and the removable oil containing cartridge; at least one of the fry basket and the vessel being adapted to move between a first position and a second position; the first position being characterized by movement of the oil from the removable oil containing cartridge and into the fry basket and the second position being characterized by movement of the oil from the fry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge; and at least one of: a biasing mechanism arranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge; the removable oil containing cartridge having a bellows shape; and the removable oil containing cartridge being removably connected to the vessel.
 2. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge comprises a biasing mechanism arranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge.
 3. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge comprises a bellows shape.
 4. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge is removably connected to the vessel.
 5. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge comprises a biasing mechanism arranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge comprises a bellows shape, and wherein the removable oil containing cartridge is removably connected to the vessel.
 6. The fryer of claim 1, further comprising at least one filter adapted to be disposed inside the bowl.
 7. The fryer of claim 1, further comprising a retaining mechanism retaining one of the fry basket and the vessel in the second position.
 8. The fryer of claim 1, further comprising a sealing mechanism at least one of: disposed in an area between a side of the bowl and a side of the fry basket; arranged between the bowl and the vessel; mounted to an inside surface of the bowl; engaging each of the bowl and the vessel; providing sealing between the bowl and the vessel; and preventing oil in the bowl from moving upwardly and past the sealing mechanism into a space between the vessel and the bowl.
 9. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the vessel comprises a filtering vessel.
 10. The fryer of claim 9, wherein a filter is disposed between a bottom of the fry basket and a bottom of the filtering vessel.
 11. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge comprises an opening adapted to be removably connected to a threaded nozzle of the vessel.
 12. A removable oil containing fryer cartridge for a fryer having a vessel, a fry basket and a bowl, the fryer cartridge comprising: an enclosure adapted to contain oil; a biasing mechanism arranged within the enclosure; and the enclosure comprising an opening adapted to be removably connected to the vessel.
 13. The fryer cartridge of claim 12, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring.
 14. The fryer cartridge of claim 12, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge comprises a bellows shape.
 15. The fryer cartridge of claim 12, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge is removably connected to the vessel via a threaded nozzle and a threaded connection piece.
 16. The fryer cartridge of claim 12, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring, wherein the enclosure comprises a bellows shape, and wherein the enclosure is removably connected to the vessel via a threaded connection.
 17. A combination of a fryer and a removable oil containing fryer cartridge for t he fryer wherein: the fryer comprises a vessel, a fry basket and a bowl; and the fryer cartridge comprises an enclosure adapted to contain oil, a biasing mechanism arranged within the enclosure, and the enclosure comprising an opening adapted to be removably connected to the vessel.
 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the fryer further comprises at least one filter adapted to be disposed inside the bowl.
 19. The combination of claim 17, wherein the fryer further comprises a retaining mechanism retaining one of the fry basket and the vessel in a downwardly position.
 20. The combination of claim 17, wherein the fryer further comprises a sealing mechanism at least one of: disposed in an area between a side of the bowl and a side of the fry basket; arranged between the bowl and the vessel; mounted to an inside surface of the bowl; engaging each of the bowl and the vessel; providing sealing between the bowl and the vessel; and preventing oil in the bowl from moving upwardly and past the sealing mechanism into a space between the vessel and the bowl.
 21. The combination of claim 17, wherein the vessel comprises a filtering vessel.
 22. The combination of claim 21, wherein a filter is disposed between a bottom of the fry basket and a bottom of the filtering vessel.
 23. The combination of claim 17, wherein at least one of the fry basket and the vessel is adapted to move between a first position and a second position and wherein the first position is characterized by movement of the oil from the removable oil containing cartridge and into the fry basket and the second position is characterized by movement of the oil from the fry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge.
 24. A removable oil containing fryer cartridge for a fryer having a vessel, a fry basket and a bowl, the fryer cartridge comprising: an enclosure adapted to contain oil; and the enclosure comprising at least one of a bellows shape and an opening adapted to be removably connected to the vessel. 